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WELLBTGTOE E. JENKINS, E? PITTSBURG; KMSS.

i CONTAINER FOR BLASTING CHARGES.

Application tiled. July 20, m26. Serial No. 123,776.

This invention relates to blasting devices and more particularbv to a. container for blasting powder adapted to be inserted in the iole caused by the explosion of a so-called springer after the' latter is fired at the bottom of a drill hole.

The present invention is particularly use- 'fu-l in connection with the surface mining of coal. In such a mining operation, after the overburden is removed/from the coal, a drill hole is made substantially to the depth of the lint' the rein ot coal after which a small nl of dynamite called a springer red at the bottoni of the drill hole for the purpose of blasting an opening or pocket in which to pour blasting powder for the blasting vof the coal. Dynamite is not a practical explosive for use in blasting coal inasmuch as it pulverizes the coal and decreases the value thereof. Blasting powder has been found to oe the properexplosive to be used for this purpose, and is in common use in blasting coal in surface mining operations. lVhere the coal is wet after the springer is red, the powder must be hurriedly poured into the hole and exploded before it becomes wet. This operation is unsatisfactory for the reason that itis dangerons to prepare a charge of blasting pow- Q der in a drill hol-e in which a springer has been fired, without giving the drill hole time to cool off, and when the charges are placed in a wet hole, about 2O per cent of the `4charges thus prepared do not explode due to the fact that the powder becomes wet or damp. lll-There the charges fail to fire, the holes must be drilled out at considerable expense and with more or less danger.

ein impor it object of the present invention i" provide a water-proof container for the blasting powder which is adapted to be inserted in the'hole vcaused y by the tiring of a springer. without'danger ci' the powder becomingr wet.

A further object is to provide avwaterproof container of the character mentioned whereby a number of charges may be placed in openings caused b v the successive firing of springers and the charges connected to be fired simultaneously, the device being adapted to prevent moisture from coming in contact with the powder over an indeiinite period of time.

A further object is to provide a rubber or similar container for blasting powder including a tubular neck portion having an enlarged bulb at its lower end` and to provide a metal or similar tube in which the entire. container is adapted to be arranged when it is to be introduced into ahole caused by the tiring of a springer, the metal tube being removed after the enlarged bulb is in position at the bottom ofthe hole, whereupon dirt orthey like may be tainped into the hole to close the same prior to tiring` the charge.

A further object is to provide a container for the-blasting powder having means associated therewith for holding the usual explosion cap.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during` the course of the following description.

ln the drawings I have shown one embodiment oi the invention. In this showing:

Figure l is a perspective View oll the device,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the saine showing the metal retaining tube in position, parts beinp broken away,

Figure is a side elevation ot' the device in position read)v to be fired, and

Figure l is a detail sectiouallvicw o't the lower end of the retaining tube, .showing a portion oi the cruitainer in position.

ReferringT to the drawings thc numeral l0 indicates the cli-arge container as a whole preferably l'oruned ot' rubber or other suitable flexible material, includinnr an upper neck portion 11 'andl a lou'er enlarged bulb portion 12. The neck portion is reduced as at lil and is provided with an upper tubular portion 14 having' lan open end as shown. The bulb portion 1Q is provided. with a preferably integral tubular portion l5 which is adapted to receive au explosion cap i6 of the usual type/having wires 17 leading thereto. rlhe container is adapted to be surrounded buv a rigid metallic or similar tube 18, as shown in Figure 2. lVhcn the explosion cap and blasting charge are in position, the tubular portion l5 and the reduced portion 14 of the neck are adapted to be tied with strings or the like 19 to prevent moisture from entering` these portions of the dovlce.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The usual hole is drilled into the vein of coal after which the usual springer is fired at the bottom of the drill hole thus causing an enlarged openingr to be formed at the bottom of the drill hole. An explosion cap 16 `as shown in Figure 3.

may he tilted with dirt or the like, as shown is introduced into the smaller tubular portion 15 and the end thereof is tied with the string 19, the wires 17 projecting upwardly adjacent 4the neck 10. The device is then ready to be introduced into the retaining tube 18, the bulb 12 being collapsed or squeezed together to permit its insertion within the tube. -The upper end of the neck is left projecting from the tube 18, and the neck 1l is filled with a suitable charge of blasting powder. The string 19 is then tied around the reduced portion 14 of the neck, whereupon the device is ready for introduction into the drill hole. the tube 18 is inserted into the drill hole whereupon the operator may shake the tube 18 to-dislodre the bulb 1Q from the lower .end of the tube. This action causes the power to How downwardly into the bulb, whereupon the tube 1S may he withdrawn and the emptied neel; of the container permitted to fall into the lower part of the hole The drill hole then in Figure 8. It will be-obvious that the bulb 12 then will lie arranged within the enlai-ged evening formed by the firing of the springe'. The device tlien may be tired in the usual way by initially firing the explosion cap 16. Since the container protects the blasting' charge from moisture, it will he apparent that one oic the devices may he left in position until additional containers are arranged in other drill holes, whereupon the several sets ot wires 17 may be connected together and to a suitable source of current to permit all of the charges to be fired simul- The lower end of.

taneousl-y. It will be apparent that the conv tainer is adapted to provide a Water-proof shielding means to prevent the absorption of moisture by the blasting char e.

It is to be understood that the orm of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example ofthe same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted -to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope ofthe sub'- joined claims.

I claim: v

-1. A device Aof the character described comprising a water-proof flexible container having a tubular neck portion provided with an open uppei-,eiid and a. lower bulb portion formed integral therewith, a relatively small tubular member carried by said bulb portion and adapted to receive an explosion cap, and a. rigid retaining member in which said container is adapted to be arranged.

2. A "device of the character described comprising anv integral flexible rubber `container includingt an upper tubular neck r'- tion provided with an open upper enga. lower bulb portion communicating there with and a relatively sinall tubular member carried by said bulb portion and adapted to contii'n an explosion cap, and a rigid retaining tube in which said container is adapt-l t-:l to he arranged; said retainingr tube being slightly larger in diameter than the neck portion ol said container and substantially siiialler than the bulb portion thereof.

1n testimony whereof l atix my signature.

, iVELLINGTON 1S. JENKINS. l 

